Title: 👩🏻‍💻2.5. Combating Preconceptions about Technology and Cybersecurity
Course: "Our networks, our security" Digital Security with a Gender Perspective > Section: Desmitificando la seguridad digital

As you strengthen your digital security, it’s important to recognize two common preconceptions that may be holding you back.

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The Myth that Technology Isn’t for Women

Many of us have grown up hearing that technology is too complex for women. This stereotype has existed for decades, portraying computers and digital tools as something for men and making women feel disconnected from them.

These stereotypes have associated computers with masculine traits since their introduction into homes, creating a prototypical image of men handling new technologies while women have often remained distant, not feeling identified with them.

But the truth is, there’s nothing about being a woman that makes technology harder to understand. The only difference is how we’ve been taught to see it. If you’ve ever felt that tech isn’t “for you,” it’s likely because of these social messages—not because you’re incapable. In reality, with the right guidance and practice, anyone can master digital tools, including cybersecurity.

Unfortunately, these stereotypes have contributed to a significant gender gap in technology-related fields, particularly in cybersecurity, where women make up only 24% of the workforce. This lack of representation reinforces the idea that technology is not a space for us, creating further barriers to entry. However, breaking these misconceptions is the first step toward changing this reality and ensuring more women confidently engage in cybersecurity.

If so, then it's likely that these gender biases have also impacted you. The first step on this path is to remember that technology does not hold any magical power over you. On the contrary, you are perfectly capable of mastering them. As you will see in this course, in most cases, all that is required is proper guidance and training.

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🔶The Idea that Online Gender-Based Violence is Inevitable

Another harmful belief is that online violence against women is just a fact of life—something we have to accept, like the risks we face in public spaces. This thinking creates fear, leading women to self-censor, avoid certain online spaces, or feel powerless to protect themselves.

You’ve probably heard statements like:

“If you post on a public platform, you have to accept the harassment that comes with it.”

“If you share images of yourself, you can’t complain if they are misused.”

“If you receive threats, just ignore them—it’s not ‘real’ violence.”

These attitudes shift the blame onto women instead of addressing the real problem: the lack of accountability for aggressors. It’s the digital equivalent of saying that harassment in public spaces is inevitable, so women should just stay home.

But online violence is not something you have to endure. The issue isn’t that women are online—it’s that harmful behavior is excused. When women are pressured to stay silent, change feels impossible. Recognizing this is the first step toward reclaiming your space and pushing back against the normalization of online abuse.

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The next step in your cybersecurity journey is to reflect on how these preconceptions have influenced your own online habits. The most powerful digital security practice is awareness—once you recognize these biases, you can start making choices to protect yourself and take control of your online experience.

The next step in your exploration of cybersecurity is to identify how you have internalized these preconceptions about technology and safety online. The most critical aspect of digital security is becoming aware of what influences your online behavior and, based on that, gradually deciding to implement actions to protect yourself.